NST Awesome August

ldee2111

beanielou said:

@Idee2111
Happy Birthday for you for tomorrow. 🥳🎈
Mine is today & like you I never think of the C word til after my birthday & actually DS’s which is next month. 

Happy Birthday @beanielou 🥳🌸

f0xh0les

Happy Birthdays Birthday Turtles .... Wonder what was going on this time 9 months ago....🧐  What happens around December? 🤣 Maybe it was just a cold November/December.  Or Advent was early-ish. 

grandmanerd

I think it's fine to do your own thinking ahead for the festive season especially when making hand made gifts. As someone who was frequently very poor when my boys were growing up I did lots of planning and plotting to make it good for my children. My brother was happy to hand over cash (he set it at the price he would pay for a computer game which was roughly £40 which was nearly my whole budget for a present from me and one from Father C plus all the bits for teh stockings.  There father liked to buy big showy presents whilst contributing nothing in maintenance (so actually, I was subsidising the large showy present) and got it wrong even when given specific instructions - DS3 was of an age to get the Brio tool set his brothers already had and he bought the Brio basic train set (we already had the duplo one).  DS3 wasn't really interested in the train set.

My mother was happy to buy half priced lego sets in the end of summer sale and keep them in her wardobe (1 of 5) until the big day. The new sets that replaced them would only have slight modifications, anyway and the boys just liked the big box of new lego (our collection went all the way back to the first set bought when I was 6 yo, it went to mum's cousin's house when she had a little boy and then came back to me with additional models, when he was growing out of it as mine were growing into it).

I ran a catalogue and would wait until  they increased the discount when I hadn't bought anything for a while and saved any 'commission' I earned (I'd asked the boys to pick their ideal bedroom - pine with blue doors and drawer fronts and I'd buy a couple of pieces at a time when I was working multiple jobs and pay those off, before getting the next ones) and have had games for a fiver (or free to me with my commission and discount). Mum's cousin would ask what they wanted and either she or I would buy it (probably something like proper colouring pencils - the huge character sets are usually very poor quality and break constantly but some of the 'cheapo' shops have proper artists supplies).##

I bought a second hand pool table for a tenner from our local second hand shop (they'd already sold the adult sized tricycle I wanted) when DS2 could only just see the top of the table and DS2's first skateboard was £10 from b'n'm (when it was just round the corner from me and only had a handful of branches throughout the north west (not sure but I think b'n'm is actually Blackpool and Morecambe - the first 2 branches). That was after my b-i-l was deeply dismissive of my ability to get the said article for my available budget.

We had a few items like transformers vehicles courtesy of my m-i-l. She went to a bingo or other social club and knew a woman who cleaned for a rich family. She was often given discarded toys and my b-i-l, who was driving a lorry at the time, called regularly at the cadbury factory and bought loads of 'seconds'chocolate. Toys were swapped for cheapo chocolate. We bought things at boot sales and when DS3 played endlessly with the nursery doll's house I bought him one as a kit from my book club (I often signed up for the opening deal and then cancelled when I'd fulfilled the minimum commitment - I bought me most expensive embroidery books cheaply that way and they also had deals on aida fabric packs and other craft items - I think that's where I got the stencil set that I used to revamp my falling apart kitchen 25 years ago (rearranged the remaining units, painted all the tiles, cupboard doors and walls, cream at the top, turquoise at the bottom, stencilled the agapathus leaf border about a foot from the top of the walls and across the base of the wall cupboard doors, replaced the rotten sink doors with a curtain on a wire and that lasted another 6 years (the metal part of the sink unit  propped up at each end was all I had left by then).

When they all wanted/ needed new bikes DS2 wanted a specific model which he and I found in the small ads in the local paper, DS1's and DS3's  came from the local bike shop, put away and paid for in weekly, with my mum and the boy's dad contributing (they got their names on the gift tag). Helmets, water bottles and other accessories came from mum's cousin's money and other bits (I think one or 2 of the helmets came from catalogue commission and some whizzy/ clacky things that you put on the spokes came from collecting crisp packets). Whatever I did it (getting no credit because my name didn't go on the tag) and on the day they were delivered I took everything out from under the stairs, carefully squeezed and nested the bikes under there and then put back all the pieces of wood, plastic and everything else back so it looked the same as usual and utterly boring, no reason for anyone to investigate.

Over the years I've made gifts, usually cross stitch for births, weddings and close family presents (oh and C stockings).  These often take a long time (especially when I had to do as much as possible with what I had, only buying any missing threads close to completion)  but it fills the long winter nights, parts can be done whilst watching tv or listening to the radio and it helps keep you calm when one or other of your children comes down for the sixth time after bedtime.

We visited my parents in law (pre-festive period visit) when I was carrying DS3 and they'd just decorated (m-i-l would ring the changes by buying and selling couches and other furniture via local papers and auction houses - the sort of auctions held in large garages). Oh good I thought and started on the first of a series of bargello cushions, buying a batch of 3 shades of peacock blue/ teal threads (to match the wallpaper) and 3 of wine reds (chairs and couch) bulked out with knitting/ crochet cotton (100 m for under £2 rather than £1+ for 8 m, some worked out at 131 m). Soon after I started my mum said she 'wouldn't mind a set of those cushions' (subtext I'll bring it up at every possible opportunity if you make cushions for 'that woman' - they'd met by then, she knew it wasn't me being awkward - and not some for me. So I was committed to making 12 cushions (minimum of 4 a year although some were given as Mother's Day presents). Luckily bargello makes up fairly quickly and once the first pattern shape is done, it repeats so you don't have to refer to a pattern. We went to m-i-l's just after DS3 was born (April) and they'd added a mustard couch so back home and I found a gold knitting cotton and added a few bits into the central motif to finish the cushion. One festive season I sat in my mum's front room on C Eve finishing a cushion that I'd promised would be ready for C and I've done one for my m-i-l completing the sewing up on the train, meeting my in-laws for a swift lemonade in the trackside pub, handing over the cushion and getting on the next train back.

I made presents with the boys to give to the people who helped us through the year (between 8 and 11 presents x 3). I had lots of experience because I made presents when I was a child - the inevitable calendars (using the previous year's cards although one year I was given a sample book of cards for people who ordered printed cards to choose from -that was great fun). Particular gifts I remember making were paper roses made from a roll of crepe paper which I moulded onto dead branches and set in a plant pot and draft excluder snakes made from an old couch cushion cut into strips, covered in various fabric off cuts and old clothing and the eyes were long silver S's which were the trimming on a dress mum had been given to see if she could do anything with it, I think we found a scrap of felt to make the tongues (my grandma made needlcase dolls with red skirts to sell at her church fair).

Over the years I've also made things to sell to raise money for the boys' school, church and voluntary organisations I've belonged to (sometimes for more than one) in addition to makes for school competitions so I believe in starting early or just doing things all year round. I used to have a 'use up'  box of embroidery threads and when a big project was getting tedious I'd go through the shoe box of small designs and match threads to needs - a strand of green was just the right size for a cat's eye or a colour might be good to add a couple of balloons to a birthday card.

So I believe in starting early and contrary to the impression I may have given I do love the festive season. But I don't believe in wasting money and I don't like 'tat'. I have changed my decorations over the years but only very slowly. I gave a whole tree's worth away a few years ago. I have some pine cones and straw stars to make natural decorations (willow pentagon) and I've just done mum's for the past few years (just think, I never have to sew ties onto hundreds of cards, ever again if I don't want to - I've been doing it since I could thread a needle). Any presents my grand-daughter gets will be age appropriate and in line with her current developmental stage. Where possible they'll be FSC wood. Some will be handmade. Discounts, sales and special offers will be used (Prima mag used to give away a discount booklet twice a year to subscribers that I found very useful), and second hand and cs purchases too (My £9.99 doll's house retails at over a £100 and I intended doing a decorate from scratch one anyway - and I've nearly another 2 years to get it done). She's having gears for C - pretty gears on a board that make ducks go round a duck pond but gears non the less (her mother's a doctor, her dad's a chemist turned computer programmer, I'm doing my bit for engineering and maths plus crafting and gardening).

My thought on people who cover their house with coloured lights and set up snowmen who could terrify or even squash a small child are unprintable. Some might be fun to look at, some are over the top (my tutor called it the 'Grisewold effect' after the Chevy Chase character), a lot are hideous and completely tasteless, bad for the planet and particularly for the birds who's flight paths are disrupted. 

Later turtles

Toni'sfriend

I hope all the birthday turtles have had or will have a lovely day. It was the Boy's birthday yesterday. One of his new friends make him the most beautiful quilt. Very unusual and it must have taken her ages to do it, What a unique gift. He was delighted.

I had a lovely afternoon with my nephew and family. Just chatting mostly about family who are no longer with us. But lots of funny stories. They brought me some delicious chocolates and an orchid.

So, today I've not really been doing anything. Currently watching I Claudius on catch up. So many great British actors. I'd forgotten how good it was and it stands the test of time.

Must start getting organised for my holiday. xxx

lcc86

Forgot to post yesterday, I was on call all day but it was quiet. Had to take an unplanned visit to the vet - used my cc as I think a repeat visit will be needed so am pre-empting an insurance claim. Also popped to my local aquatic shop and got a couple of fish, a pre-planned spend. And I needed some wraps for dinner.

Got loads done at home, cleaned some dirty bits of carpet with the machine, did loads of batch cooking and cleaned everywhere. Also got some work done so that I'm fully up to date before my week off next week. Sent my timesheet for all my overtime, the extra money will help my future plans come together. 

Today I went to see my share horse, decided not to ride but we went for a little walk together. Came home and OH and I walked to our local farm shop to grab some lunch (he paid which saved me a spend day). Walked for about 2 1/2 hours altogether today, got rained on when we were almost back home but not too bad.

apple_muncher

Happy birthday beanie 🍰🎂🎂🍰 and ldee for tomorrow. And some more 🎂🍰 for the Boy.

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for dc's anxiety being a bit less than yesterday, for getting the washing nearly dried outside before the rain arrived, for simple living and eating while DH is away, for plenty of Poirot on the box, sleeping well.

DrCarrie

Evening Turtles. Hope you are al having a lovely bank holiday apart from those in my distant homeland!

Do people know if the MSE app works well for the forum? I think I may stand a better chance of checking in!

beanielou

DrCarrie said:

Evening Turtles. Hope you are al having a lovely bank holiday apart from those in my distant homeland!

Do people know if the MSE app works well for the forum? I think I may stand a better chance of checking in!

Yes.  I use it a lot now.
Go to sections, then forum & then quick links to find your bookmarked threads 

Thrifty_Taylor

Happy birthday @beanielou, hope you've had a lovely day & enjoyed your afternoon tea! 🎂🥳 Happy birthday for tomorrow @ldee2111, have a great day 🥳🎂

Yesterday was very busy. One of the cats woke me up before 6am. Was in town by 9am, picked mum up & did my monthly shop using the 10% off at L1DL 😃 Came home & put it all away, then a customer came round to be pinned into some trousers. Sewed 3/4 of another sofa cushion (using my ironing board as a table!). Sold a bundle of boys clothes within 5mins of advertising 😃 collected within the hour too! Washed the dishes after tea, then made a little video, showing how to do latch hooking. Did another strip if my rug - only one more to do before it's finished.

NSD#9
Had a lie in. The only morning this week that I've not had to wake DS1 up or get up for work. Walked 4.5 miles with DH. Shortened the trousers from yesterday & increased the waist by 1.5". Man collected them after tea, he was extremely happy with them, as he's going away Tuesday morning to get married.
Creosoted the shed & listened to a couple of podcasts. Finished just as it started to drizzle. My brother phoned, saw my nephew on facetime. He's a live wire!
Washed the dishes, then had a soak in the bath with my book & a face mask.

Grateful for selling the clothes (2 smaller bundles not sold yet), a nice walk, time to listen to podcasts, time to do more of my rug, how easy it was to alter the trousers & grateful customers recommending me to others